Thursday, 28th


September 2017


info@eastcorkjournal.ie


EAST CORK AGRICULTURE info@eastcorkjournal.ie


Roadmap For Growth Of Farming & Food Sector Has To Address Farm Income Issue


IFA President Joe Healy said this week that


the


Food Wise 2025 road map for the sector sets ambi- tious targets for exports and employment. How- ever, there isn’t enough emphasis on a fair return for farmers. Farmers are proud to


be part of the important Irish agri-food sector, delivering employment and economic activity in every part of the country, and supporting agri-food exports of over €11bn. Irish


farmers continue


to actively participate in schemes and initiatives that are delivering a high- er


and sustainably-produced product, which is export-


value, differentiated,


ed to over 150 countries. For Food Wise 2025 to succeed, farmers have to be properly rewarded for their work and invest- ment. The IFA President said


there is a real weakness in the Food Wise strate- gy. “While it sets a target for growth in the value of farmgate output of 65%, to €10bn, in a 100-page document, there are no explicit targets set for im- provements in farm via- bility and profitability.” Joe Healy said, “The re-


ality is that farm incomes across many sectors re- main far too low, with a third of farms in Ireland still classified as vulner- able. If one element of


the food supply chain is vulnerable, it puts at risk the achievement


overall strategy. It is the collective


responsibility


of all stakeholders in the agri-food sector, because it is in their interests, that farmers receive a fair re- turn”. “I welcome the Minis-


ters announcement of a special conference in re- lation Food Wise 2025 to take place on December 4th


er incomes/profitability must be the top priority at this event.” He said processors and


retailers are making big profits while a range of bureaucrats are also feed- ing off the sector, with a


raft of the of stipulations and


regulations. There needs to be a fundamental re- think or the raw material for our most important industry will not be there. Farm incomes are com-


prised of three compo- nents – the output price, costs of production and direct payments received. Improvements are


re- . The issue of farm-


quired in all of these are- as. At farm level, farmers themselves have a respon- sibility to improve their efficiency – both econom- ic and environmental. A strong CAP Budget post 2020 is needed. And we need a better functioning supply


chain to ensure


a fairer share out of the consumer price.


23


Deadline Monday at noon


Positive Change In Sterling Must Be Reflected In Higher Cattle Price - IFA


IFA National Livestock


Chairman Angus Woods said the positive change in sterling from 92p back to 88p must be reflected in stronger cattle prices back to farmers. He said that when ster-


ling went the other way every factory and agent used it as the excuse to pull prices and it is of crit- ical importance that


market is now seen to be working.


Angus Woods said each


1p move is worth 3c/kg, taking account of the vol- umes that go into the very strong UK market. Angus Woods said the price


base for steers is the


€3.80/kg and €3.90/kg for heifers. He said some factories are quoting less but having to pay above quotes to get stock. In ad- dition, he said base prices of €3.85 and €3.95 have been offered to get stock. The IFA livestock leader said demand in the market


is strong with a very strong demand for manufactur- ing beef. He said the kill is in the 35/36,000 head per week range and it is clear factories are very anxious for stock. Last week’s kill was 36,112. Angus Woods said cattle


prices in our main export market in the UK remains very strong. R3 grade steers in the UK are mak- ing £3.84/kg which is the equivalent of €4.60/kg in- cluding VAT.


Joe Healy Elected Vice President Of European Farmers’ Association, COPA


IFA President Joe Healy


was elected a Vice Presi- dent of the European farm organisation, COPA


in


Brussels. Mr Healy was elected as


one of six Vice Presidents to serve with new COPA President Joachim Rukwied from the German Farmers’ Association. Mr. Healy topped the poll among the seven candidates. Speaking following his


• The Livestock Representatives and the County Chairmen from the three Cork IFA County Executives met with Minister Creed in Macroom this week, to discuss issues relating to the livestock sector.


election, Joe Healy said he had sought the position to ensure a strong voice


for Irish farmers at a time when a number


of very


important issues are live at European level. “There are a number of


crucial issues for Irish ag- riculture currently on the agenda, such as Brexit, the Mercosur trade deal and glyphosate licencing. I aim to work with our European colleagues to see farmers receive a fair share of re- tail prices. There are also medium term issues such as the review of the CAP and the increasing chal-


lenges arising from climate change. These


are issues


which will impact direct- ly of the incomes of Irish farmers.


“I look forward to work- ing with the new President of COPA, Joachim Ruk- wied and the other Vice Presidents to ensure that the farmer’s voice is heard on these and other issues” Joe Healy said. Joe Healy was re-elected unopposed to serve a sec- ond term as President of the IFA last week.


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